Partnership aims to bring better homecare re-ablement in York
York
St John University and the City of York Council are celebrating the
success of their first Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) which
has been set up to help improve the independence, confidence and
mobility of people in York who use homecare re-ablement
services.
A KTP supports businesses wishing to improve
their competitiveness, productivity and performance by using
knowledge and expertise from UK universities and colleges.
The KTP between the University and Council has
been a two year initiative that has enabled the development of a
training programme accredited by York St John University and
delivered by Occupational Therapy staff at City of York Council.
The aim of the programme is to introduce social care staff to the
re-ablement approach and empower them to embrace the culture within
their own practice. Re-ablement is about changing the culture of
homecare, putting much more focus on engaging with service users to
regain skills, and by helping service users to identify meaningful
goals.
Wendy O’Connor, the re-ablement development
project leader working with York St John University, said:
“Previously homecare has been solely focussed on doing things for
the customer such as assisting with showering, meal preparation or
dressing. This training programme is about encouraging staff to
think differently, and help the customer to be as independent as
possible following a period of illness or other
crisis.
“The training helps to develop a toolkit for
workers to use, including telecare, equipment and re-ablement
techniques, such as helping customers to establish more energy
efficient routines or changing how tasks are done in order to make
them easier or safer. Changing culture is difficult, and cannot be
done purely by training, but engaging all services in the approach
will help to embed the concept.”
An event to celebrate the KTP and the
achievement of those who have undertaken the training took place at
York St John University on Tuesday 4 September. Kersten England,
chief executive of City of York Council, and Professor David
Fleming, Vice Chancellor of the University, presented certificates
to the members of staff who have successfully completed the
training programme. This included City of York Council care
managers, occupational therapy assistants and mobile wardens, as
well as staff from the re-ablement service at HSG Reable.
Kersten England said: “While culture change is
not just about training, this programme has been a great
opportunity to link up practitioners with expertise in the
University and look at changing the ethos around how people are
supported. This work is a good example of how we can work in
partnership across the city to provide positive outcomes.”
Picture shows: Professor David Fleming and
Kersten England with City of York Council staff who have
successfully completed the training programme.
For further press information
please contact Louise McKenzie, PR & Communications Officer on
T: 01904 876466 or E: l.mckenzie@yorksj.ac.uk
